In a first, Isro will make dead rocket stage ‘alive’ in space for experiments

The rocket stage of PSLV C44, which will be carrying a microsat as the primary satellite in January, will be made alive with the help of new systems that will include batteries and solar panel. Even after the primary satellite separates from the PSLV, the last stage of the rocket will remain active.

| TNN | Updated: Dec 16, 2018, 14:46 IST

Highlights

The Indian Space Research Organisation is working on a new technology where it will use the last stage of the PSLV rocket for space experiments

It will perform a technology demonstration of this new system when it launches the PSLV C44 rocket in January

The organisation will invite students and scientists to make use of this new technology

Isro chairman K Sivan

NEW DELHI: Can a dead rocket in space be anything but debris? Isro believes it might actually be useful. Feted for its frugality and tech savviness, the Indian Space Research Organisation is working on a new technology where it will use the last stage of the PSLV rocket for space experiments. It will perform a technology demonstration of this new system when it launches the PSLV C44 rocket in January.
Talking to TOI here, Isro chairman K Sivan said, “Normally, the last stage of a PSLV rocket after releasing the primary satellite in space becomes dead and categorised as debris. Now, we are working on a new technology where we will give life to this “dead” last stage of PSLV, also called PS4 stage, for six months after its launch. This will be the most cost-effective way to perform experiments in space as we don’t have to launch a separate rocket for the purpose.” He said that “India is the only country in the world that is working on this new technology”.

He said, “The rocket stage of PSLV C44, which will be carrying a microsat as the primary satellite in January, will be made alive with the help of new systems that will include batteries and solar panel. Even after the primary satellite separates from the PSLV, the last stage of the rocket will remain active and can be used as an experimental platform for new space technologies. Students or space scientists can use this “alive” rocket stage for space experiments for free. They can attach their small experimental module in the last stage and perform space experiments.” He said that Isro “can use the same technology on GSLV as well”.

Sivan said Isro is going to make an “announcement of opportunity to invite proposals from students and space scientists to make use of this new technology”.

Explaining the significance of the technology, former Isro chairman and space expert A S Kiran Kumar said, "The last stage usually keeps tumbling in the same orbit (around 400-500 km) without any control where it has released the primary satellite. To keep it stabilised, we will keep additional fuel in a separate compartment without disturbing the original configuration of the rocket."

On its lifespan, he said, "Soon after releasing the satellite, the last stage starts decaying and its orbit keeps falling and finally it enters the earth's atmosphere and burns out. By inserting batteries and solar panel, we can increase its lifespan in space for months by making it communicable (controllable) from the ground station. It can then be used for as a platform for performing experiments like the study of upper atmosphere parameters, microgravity tests and observation of space.

On how students will benefit, the former Isro chief said, "If this last stage doubles up as a platform for space experiments, students don't need to launch a full-fledged satellite. They just need the instruments with which they want to do experiments in space and attach them with the last stage. The instruments will be powered by the last stage. It will be the most economical and cost-effective way of performing space experiments."

Till now, space agencies around the world can use a rocket only once to deliver satellites in space. Elon Musk-promoted SpaceX is the only exception as the US private space agency has mastered the technology of repeating the same rocket stage for relaunches. However, SpaceX’s experiments with its Falcon 9 rocket are confined to the first stage of the rocket. It has also never experimented with the last stage

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